Heater for washing-machines



H. S. CARSON.

HEATER FOR'WASHING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED MAYH. 1919.

1 ,34 1 1 09. Patented May 25, 1920.

hm E: JLE HL I I! I I 7 l I c WITNESSES INVENTOR A T TORNEYS UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

HELEN SANTORINAOS CARSON, 0F STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT.

HEATER FOR WASHING-MACHINES.

Application filed May 14, 1919.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HELEN S. CARsoN, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Stamford, in the county of Fairfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and Improved Heater for lVashing-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription.

This invention relates to a heater which is more particularly applicableto washing machines, and aims to provide a device of this nature whereinthe soapy water usually wasted may be heated again and reused.

It is a well-known fact that a great amount of unnecessary expense isincurred in connection with a washing machine of the centrifugal-drivetype in that the same must be drained prior to the drying of the objectswashed, resulting in the wastage of a great amount of fluid thoroughlyimpregnated with soap to form a highly cleansing fluid.

Aside from this, a great amount of time is wasted in the replenishing ofthe waste water with fresh water which has been properly heated and inthoroughly comingling this water with particles of soap so as to form agood mass of suds with which to clean the clothes.

Aside from the foregoing defects, a great strain is exerted upon theoperator, in that he, or she, is compelled to carry each successivefilling of water to the machine which is a very wearing task, especiallyif the operator is not robust.

Having the above in mind, I have constructed a washing-machine heaterwhich may be associated with the washing machine in such a manner thatone filling of the heater with water and soap will be sufficient for anentire washing.

Another object of this invention is the provision of means associatedwith the heater for maintaining the fluid at a proper temperature.

A further object of the invention is the association of a heater with awashing ma chine in such a manner that the fluid used in connection withthe washing machine maybe drained from the heater into the washingmachine, or vice versa, which results in a maximum of economy.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of meansconnected with the heater which ovill cut off the heating element whenthe heater has had all the fluid Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1920.

Serial No. 297,131.

controlling device may be entirely eliminated, if so desired.

Having these objects in view, I have constructed a device in accordancewith the same, one practical embodiment of which is represented in theattached sheet of drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side view of awashing chine with a heater associated therewith;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the heater; and

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the heating element for the heater.

In all of these views like reference merals designate similar parts, andthe erence numeral 1 indicates the exterior casing of any convenienttype of washing machine, which may be supported by legs 2, although Ipreferably mount the same upon a permanent base so that the devicebecomes a fixture of the house in which it is placed, the washingmachine being driven by any suitable motor 3, the usual baske raisingfoot lever 4 being also provided.

Located adjacent to the washing machine there is a fluid heating tank 5which is slidably mounted along supporting columns 6, the same beingsuspended from a shaft 7 which may be rotated by means of a hand crank 7provided with restraining means such. as a pawl 7. The shaft 7 is formedwith a drum 8 around which passes a chain 9 having its lowermost endsecured to a crossbar 1O fastened to the tank 5.

The columns 6 are supported by a base 11, which may be provided withfeet 12; and also supported by this base is a battery of burners 13provided with individual controlling valves lal and a single controllingvalve 1.5. The single controlling valve 15 may, or may not, beeliminated from the construction, but the same is acted upon by means ofa rod 16.

The fluid heating tank 5 is formed adjacent its lower end with anopening, from which projects a pipe 17, and provided with a valve 18,the washing machine being likewise formed with an outlet pipe 19 and acontrol valve 20 therefor. Extending between the valves 18 and 20 is,preferably, a piece of flexible tubing, such as 21, through nureftank 5is in raised position.

which fluid may drain from the washing machine into the tank 5, or viceversa.

In operation it will be seen that, assuming that it is desired to drythe clothes in the Washing machine and at the same time to heat thefluid which has been employed therein, all that it will be necessary forthe operator of the device to do will be for him to release the ratchet7" and permit a rotation of the shaft 7, whereby the tank 5 will movefrom the position indicated in Fig. 1 in dotted lines to the positionindicated in full lines and the fluid will drain from the washingmachine into the fluid heating tank 5. Simultaneously with thisoperation, the rod 16 Will have actuated the valve 15 and the battery ofburners 13 will begin to operate so as to properly heat the fluid withinthe tank 5. In this connection it is to be understood that the valves 20and 18 are normally open and are provided merely in case a break shouldoccur in the flexible tubing 21, which would render repair necessary,and by providing these valves it will readily be seen that I can easilyprevent the flow of fluid from either the fluid heating tank 5 or thecasing 1.

It is also to be appreciated that I might desire to continue theoperation of the burners individually or as a whole when the In thisinstance, the automatic valve 15 might be entirely eliminated, or thrownout of operation by any suitable provision, and the burners controlledby means of the individual valves 1%; and the burners could now beemployed as heaters for irons or for any other suitable purpose.

It is further to be understood that although I have shown my fluidheating tank in connection with a centrifugal drying washer, I couldreadily employ the same in conjunction with any type of washing machinenow in existence. Also, although I have disclosed a hand crank androtatable drum for elevating the tank 5, I wish it understood that Imight employ any suitable elevating means for the tank 5, my ideadistinctly embodying the provision of a fluid heating tank inconjunction with a washing machine suitable for domestic purposes inwhich a minimum of structure is provided to properly drain water fromthe washing machine, heating the same, and redraining this water backinto the washing machine.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to claim:

1. A device of the class described, including a washing machine, aheater positioned adjacent the same, a tank associated with said heater,and means for raising and lowering said tank.

2. A device of the class described, including a washing machine, aheater positioned adjacent the same, a tank associated with said heater,means for raising and loud-wing said tank, and means ail'ordingconnnnnication between the tank and ashing machine.

3. A device of the class described, including a washing machine, aheater, a tank associated with such heater, an outlet located adjacentthe bottom of both the washing machine and tank, a flexible piece oi"tubing extending between such outlets, and means associated with thetank for moving the same in a vertical plane.

4-. A device of the class described, including a washing machine, aheater positioned adjacent the same, a tank, capable of being moved in avertical plane, associated with said heater, means for aflordingcommunication between the 'ashing machine and the tank, and meansassociated with the tank and coope 'ating with the heater for regulatingthe flame produced by the heater.

5. A device of the class described, including a washing machine, aheater, a tank associated with such heater, and means for permitting theflow of fluid from such wash ing machine into the tank, and vice versa.

HELEN SANTORINAOS CAliHlN.

